Letters

Batting zero
When well-known information is reported inaccurately, I always question the veracity of information that isn't common knowledge. To wit, Pete Geren is a Democrat, not a Republican, and Don Nelson coached the Golden State Warriors, not the New York Knicks. What other misinformation is in Miriam Rozen's would-be expose on Ross Perot Jr. ["The son almost rises," July 3]?

The article is more about Frank Zaccanelli than Ross Jr. I've never met either of them and have no ax to grind--other than a strong opposition to my tax dollars being used to build an arena for them or anyone else.

I do question your commitment to political correctness in referring to Zaccanelli as a "fiery Italian," among other stereotypical descriptions. Can't imagine the Dallas Observer would comment similarly on the ethnic characteristics of Hispanic, Asian, Jewish, or African fast-track businessmen. But then I recognize that among left-wing reporters it is always open season on successful European-American males.

Thomas Sullivan
Dallas

Editor's note: Mr. Sullivan is right on both counts. The Observer regrets the errors.

Shame and admiration
Your recent story about Sammy Allen sure made for interesting reading ["What makes Sammy run?" June 26]. Although I certainly couldn't help feeling sorry for the poor man, I also felt absolute rage toward his "pastor of his own church" father. Instead of meeting his responsibilities regarding his flesh and blood, he chooses to ignore them, instead letting the rest of us (taxpayers) foot the bill. Shame, Shame, Shame!

Heather Crawford
Dallas

Thank you for your article "What makes Sammy run?" by Kevin Heldman. This is the best article I've seen in the 16 years of dealing with my schizophrenic son. Sammy has my sympathy and Heldman my admiration.

Leroy North
Dallas

Cynics in our midst
I'm beginning to think that the Dallas Observer's system of either completely recommending a movie or completely rejecting it is a little too simple to work well. Out of 23 movies reviewed in the June 26-July 2 edition, only four are officially endorsed by the Observer. I don't think anyone outside of an award-winning filmmaker can employ standards that incredibly steep.

What surprises me, however, is that by reading the capsules section of the movie reviews, I find that the oh-so-cynical critics seemed to enjoy many of the films that aren't recommended. The supposedly negative capsule of The Pillow Book doesn't say a bad thing about it and ends with "The film becomes a lovers' paradise of eccentricity and inky naughtiness, staged by Greenaway with a warmth and a tactility he has rarely explored before." The only complaint My Best Friend's Wedding received was that it isn't utterly original, as if any movies are. Addicted to Love and Brassed Off are two other films that were rejected because of a few flaws the reviewers mention, but I would judge their overall opinions as positive, and worthy of the highly coveted Observer "star in a box."

The justice system proclaims that it's better for a guilty person to go free than an innocent person to be incarcerated, while the Observer proudly demonstrates that it's better for a good movie to be trashed than for a bad movie to be praised.

Rhys Southan
Richardson

TXI's arrogance
Thanks for the pieces on TXI ["Ill wind blowing," June 12, "Something in the air," June 19]. Years ago, I worked with Jim Schermbeck and others to put together a documentary, which we called Cement Valley. The interviews we shot with Downwinders were compelling, but nowhere could we find a "smoking gun," a direct and demonstrable connection between the suffering and the smokestacks. Saying they were contemplating an interview, TXI strung me along for months, then ultimately refused any comment. The piece was never completed. Their arrogance is exceeded only by their greed. In America, I guess you can't stop that kind of money from getting what it wants. But thanks for trying. Please tell me where the TNRCC hearings, scheduled to begin in December, will be held. I think I'd like to watch Jim give them his best shot.

Mark Birnbaum
Via Internet

Point well taken
So, Buzz is glad that The Dallas Morning News is not as fuddy-duddy about outdoor rock concerts as it was back in 1969, and that that paper's only complaints about Rockfest '97 concerned traffic problems ["Poised for the 20th century," July 3].

As far as we know, though, the DMN might have just been brownnosing Texas Motor Speedway owner Bruton Smith and/or RockFest sponsor Blockbuster. Hey, it's not as if Dallas' Only Daily hasn't kissed up to big business before, right?

Richard Douglas
DeSoto